Chennai: POTA detenu Vaiko has turned down the Tamil Nadu government's offer of a pedestal fan and stainless steel vessels for eating at Vellore Central Prison, where he had been lodged from July 12.

Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister O Panneerselvam, who is also in charge of prisons, in a statement, said Vaiko had turned down the government's offer on the plea that he would live in the same conditions as other prisoners in the jail.

He said there was no provision in the jail rules to provide fans to the prisoners. However, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had ordered installation of a pedestal fan in his room, he said adding that the fan was still kept outside Vaiko's cell.

Referring to statements by several leaders, including Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M Karunanidhi, he said the government was not at fault. Vaiko had been provided with a special class and was being treated by the officials as per rules.

Meanwhile, MDMK high command had taken strong objection to the reports of self- immolation bids by party volunteers protesting against the arrest of Vaiko. Already, a party supporter had ended his life after setting himself ablaze in Andanallur Village near Tiruchirapalli on July 14 night.

MDMK would fight the arrest legally and politically and there was no need for the party volunteers to give up their lives, a party statement said on July 15.

PTI